John Ross House

The John Ross House is a two-story log structure made of two separate log sections connected by a central breezeway, topped with a wood shingle gable roof. The design shows typical features of frontier construction from that era.

The house was built around 1797 by Scottish trader John McDonald and became the home of Cherokee Nation Chief John Ross starting in 1830. The building stands as a record of an important period in Cherokee history.

The house reflects how Cherokee and European traditions mixed together through the McDonald-Ross family, who were important figures in Cherokee leadership. The way the building was constructed and used shows how different cultures came together in this border region.

The house is located on East Lake Avenue and is maintained by the John Ross House Association, which provides visitor information about the site. The property is open for those interested in learning more about this period.

During the Civil War, the building was converted into a medical facility and treated soldiers from both opposing armies. This use shows how the site played an important role during that turbulent time.